Posted: 01/01/2011
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 20, 2010) Sailors prepare an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 for take-off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2). Essex is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is underway in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl)